Description

Released just before the annual North American holiday Thanksgiving Day, where traditionally turkey is served as dinner, this game is developed by the entertainment division of the animal rights organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), and parodies the Cooking Mama series. The game aims to protest against the breeding of animals in factory farms, and at the same time players are urged to write to Majesco Entertainment, publisher of the original game, to ask them to include more vegetarian recipes in future games in the series, or even make a game with just vegetarian recipes.

The gameplay consists of a series of short, timed minigames where the players need to prepare the turkey for dinner. This includes plucking the feathers, removing the organs, preparing the stuffing and inserting it, removing the head, and cooking it. In a second series of games, the gravy is prepared. All actions require the player to move a hand or items using the mouse. After each game the player is evaluated as "Don't Be a Saint", "Too Nice" or "Meaner Than Mama!" with an option to replay the section. Mama is shown as a mean character and every once in a while information about the breeding of turkeys is shown.

When the initial two series are completed, a bonus level is unlocked where a Thanksgiving dinner can be prepared with tofu instead of meat, again through a number of minigames. The entire atmosphere is turned around (including the evaluation), and mama is shown as a happy, cheerful character. After each of the three sessions, bonus items are unlocked, such as web banners, wallpapers and videos. When the game is completed, players are asked to take the "pledge" and become a vegetarian.

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Trivia

Press release

Less than a week after the release, in a press release for Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, the following implicit response to the game was included:

"I would never put rat in my Ratatouille," said a feisty Mama while beating some eggs. "Like any accomplished cook, I create my recipes to appeal to a broad range of tastes and preferences. My only goal is to ensure you leave the table well fed."

Cooking Mama World Kitchen includes more than 25 vegetarian-friendly recipes including delicious breakfast, dinner, dessert and snack options. And, while Mama is not a vegetarian, she fully supports the humane treatment of animals, particularly for her canine protege Max who makes his doggie debut in World Kitchen.